A front porch is a wonderful thing.  It expands your living space into the outdoors, and if you live in a moderate climate you can use the front porch all year long.  Even if you live in a climate that has all four seasons, front porches can be used in the spring, summer and fall.  It’s true that today’s homes don’t usually have large front porches, but even small front porch ideas are available for those who want to find something fun to do with yours.

Even a small front porch is a porch that you can use to your advantage.  But you will need to plan carefully to utilize your space efficiently.  If you like certain aspects of small front porch ideas, but dislike others, you should keep the ones you do like in the forefront of your mind, or keep a running list.  Just remember that your space is limited and if your favorite small front porch ideas involve larger things like porch swings, you may not be able to incorporate them.

Small Front Porch Ideas

For small front porch ideas that use sitting places, you will want to think about how many places you really need to sit.  If there are only two people living in your home, then you really only need two places to sit on the porch.  While a porch swing is probably too large for a smaller porch, a wicker chair may not be.  If you have the room, put out two chairs.  Wicker chairs tend to be larger than other kinds of chairs and porch furniture, so if you want two sitting places but don’t have the space for wicker, use another type of porch chair that is smaller, like a metal chair.

A table is something else that you will want to use in your small front porch ideas, especially if you have chairs on your porch.  Place the table between the chairs if possible.  If you don’t have the space for this, place the table in front of the chairs.  This gives you somewhere to put a drink or book when you sit on the porch.Â